Tyler Smith to test draft waters

Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess

Tennessee's Tyler Smith answers a question during a press conference.

Photo by Amy Smotherman Burgess

Tennessee's Tyler Smith answers a question during a press conference.

Tennessee forward Tyler Smith has declared himself eligible for the 2009 NBA draft.

Smith, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound All-SEC junior, said he will not hire an agent, meaning he could still elect to return for his senior season.

“It’s a situation where you want to know you’re fine and things will be stable,’’ said Smith, who’s projected to play small forward at the professional level. “You don’t want to worry if you are going to make it.

“Right now, I’m not in the position I want to be in. I want to be in a position where I’m all in, whether that’s playing in the NBA or coming back.’’

Smith has kept himself in good academic standing and will continue to attend the team’s spring conditioning workouts.

He has until June 15 to make a final decision on whether he’ll enter the draft, which will be June 25.

Smith’s said his responsibilities to his family weigh heavily into his decision.

His son, Amare, turns 3 years old, four days after the draft.

Smith’s mother was widowed when his father died of lung cancer in September of 2007.

According to DraftExpress.com, Smith is projected to be taken with the 42nd overall pick in this year’s draft — 12th in the second round.

Only first-round selections — top 30 overall — receive guaranteed money.

Not making the NBA likely means playing basketball in Europe, and Smith has said he’s not sure if that would be best for his family at this point in his career.

“This is not just all about me, because I’m making a decision for my whole family,’’ he said. “Last year, everyone wanted to come out who were underclassmen. This year, it’s everyone coming out that’s at my position.’’

The NBADraft.net site lists 16 small forwards in its mock 2009 draft, including first-round projected picks Earl Clark (Louisville), Sam Young (Pitt), Terrence Williams (Louisville), Damian James (Texas) and DaJuan Summers (Georgetown).

Smith is projected to be the No. 26 overall pick in next year’s draft and the sixth small forward selected.

The past three years the NBA held a week-long competition pre-draft camp in Orlando, Fla., prior to the draft.

That camp is no longer available. Instead, there will be a combine-like pre-draft camp in Chicago on May 27-31.

“I’ll probably just do the workouts (with teams), and there’s a workout in Chicago in late May right before the draft,’’ Smith said, indicating he may be ready to make a final decision soon thereafter.

Smith was disappointed with himself and where the team ended up this past season, and immediately expressed the desire to return to UT.

Vols coach Bruce Pearl, however, has encouraged him to test the waters throughout the offseason.

Pearl said he believes if Smith impresses scouts enough and can get the guaranteed first-round money, it’s best for his family for him to go.

If not, Smith returns to UT knowing exactly what he must do to be a first-round pick after his senior season.

“I wanted to be a leader, but I wasn’t the leader I wanted to be,’’ Smith said of last season. “I was trying to lead the team without letting them help me. At first, I had it in my head I had to do it all.

“I needed to let the game come to me, and I didn’t do that until the end of the year. I didn’t realize it soon enough; there are too many great players around me for that to happen.’’

The various draft projection analysis give Smith high marks for his versatility and athleticism, but point to consistency, ball-handling and an outside shot as concerns with his game.

Smith doesn’t take issue with the evaluations.

“I can do a lot of things, but there’s no one thing I’m perfect at,’’ Smith said. “I want to tone up my game, period. I want to be more consistent across the board.’’

Smith said he feels a responsibility to his family to turn pro if the guaranteed money is there.

If not, Smith is confident both he and UT will be in a better position to succeed than last season, when the Vols brought five new players into their nine-men rotation and struggled to shoot from the perimeter.

“It’s crazy right now,’’ Smith said. “I just want to do what’s best for my family.’’

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!